In today's world, more and more people are facing mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Traditional treatments, which include medication and psychotherapy, are often time-consuming and not always effective for all patients. However, new research reviewed in the scientific review of the journal Frontiers in Psychology opens up the prospect of using ketamine in combination with psychotherapy, which can significantly increase the effectiveness of treatment.
What is ketamine and how does it work?
Ketamine is a drug that was originally developed as an anesthetic. However, in the 21st century, scientists have drawn attention to its potential in the treatment of depression and other mental disorders. Ketamine acts on glutamate receptors in the brain, which helps to change neural connections and contributes to the rapid relief of depression symptoms. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which can take several weeks to take effect, ketamine shows an effect within a few hours after administration.
Psychotherapy as an important part of treatment
Psychotherapy is one of the main methods of treating mental disorders. It helps patients better understand their emotions, find the causes of their problems, and develop strategies to overcome difficulties. However, sometimes the patient's emotional state is so severe that psychotherapy does not bring the desired results or the treatment process is delayed.
Synergy of ketamine and psychotherapy
Studies show that the combination of ketamine and psychotherapy can be a breakthrough in the treatment of mental disorders. Ketamine can quickly reduce the symptoms of depression, which makes the patient more open to psychotherapy. A psychotherapeutic session after ketamine administration allows for deeper penetration into the patient's subconscious, helps to work with difficult emotions and traumatic memories.
Moreover, ketamine can help change patterns of thinking and behavior, making psychotherapeutic interventions more effective. This approach has the potential to significantly reduce treatment time and increase its effectiveness, especially for patients who have not previously responded to traditional therapies.
Conclusion.
The synergy of ketamine and psychotherapy is a promising area in the treatment of mental disorders. Although this approach still requires additional research and clinical trials, the first results promise a significant improvement in the quality of life for many patients. It is important that this method is used under the strict supervision of doctors and psychotherapists, as this is the only way to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Full text of the scientific article:
Mathai, D. S., Mora, V., & Garcia-Romeu, A. (2022). Toward synergies of ketamine and psychotherapy. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 868103.
Our Expio Medical Center is soon planning to start a clinical trial "A monocentric randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial of ketamine-assisted integrative psychotherapy in veterans with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)". We hope that its results will contribute to the widespread introduction of new therapies that can significantly improve the quality of life of many people who have experienced psychological trauma.
